2017 SDNA Annual Convention

2017 South Dakota Nurses Association
Licensure Operations
The total number of actively licensed RNs and LPNs in the state is 20,205. The licensure staff processed 2,371 new licenses in FY
2016 and renewed 9,220 existing licenses. Approximately 99% of all renewals are processed on-line. In 2016 we implemented a
registry for medication aides and unlicensed diabetes aides. There are 5,298 medication aides registered to date and 27 unlicensed
diabetes aides.
Legislative Efforts
The Board of Nursing had a successful year in the 2016 legislature. SB 29, an act to update the nurse practice act and to adopt a
new Interstate Licensure Compact was adopted and signed into law by Governor Dennis Daugaard and became effective on July
1, 2016. This legislation was a comprehensive update to the nurse practice act in our state. The enactment of the enhanced Nurse
Licensure Compact positioned South Dakota as the first state in the country to adopt the revised nurse licensure compact.
The new compact becomes effective on the earlier date of when 26 states have joined or December 31, 2018. A total of 10 states
enacted the enhanced compact in 2016. Another 23 states are planning to introduce the legislation in 2017. We wish to express
our thanks to the SDNA for your formal support of this legislation. The Board will keep you informed of the implementation
process for the new compact.
The Joint Board of Nursing and Medical and Osteopathic Examiners recently approved amendments to the administrative rules
related to CNP and CNM collaboration requirements. The changes were adopted following a public hearing on September 8, 2016.
The requirement that collaboration had to occur no less than twice each month unless established in the collaborative agreement
that one of the twice monthly meetings may be held by telecommunication and that one of the twice monthly meetings had to
be by direct personal contact was repealed. The requirement that collaboration must be by direct personal contact was retained.
The definition of direct personal contact was changed to add electronic communication as a means for direct personal contact.
The rule that required physicians to be on site every 90 days was repealed in its entirety. The Interim Rules Review Committee
gave the final approval for the rule amendments on September 26, 2016. They have been filed with the Secretary of State and will
become effective by November 1, 2016. Once again the Board would like to thank SDNA for your formal support of these rules.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this report to the membership of SDNA. We are most appreciative of the collaborative
and collegial relationship that the Board of Nursing has with our professional nursing organization.
Respectfully,
Gloria Damgaard, Executive Director
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